Alma Metals Increases On-Site Capacity at Briggs Copper Project with Exploration Camp Acquisition

Alma Metals (ASX: ALM) has significantly expanded its on-site capacity at the Briggs copper project in central Queensland with the acquisition of a fully equipped 16-person exploration camp.

Each room in the camp contains an ensuite, television, reverse cycle air-conditioning, and small refrigerator, while a purpose-built kitchen and mess facility will allow for the preparation of meals for site crews.

The new camp will more than double Alma’s on-site staffing capacity, accommodating technical and management teams, improving contractor oversight, reducing travel-related fatigue risks, and enhancing overall project management effectiveness.

The infrastructure will be anchored to cyclone-proof standards appropriate for Queensland conditions and contractors have been engaged to reconnect electrical and plumbing services ahead of commissioning next month.

Joint Venture Earn-In

Briggs is a large porphyry copper deposit containing an indicated and inferred resource estimate of 2 million tonnes copper metal at a 0.15% cut-off grade.

Alma currently holds a 51% controlling interest under a joint venture with Canterbury Resources (ASX: CBY).

Following a recent oversubscribed $4 million share placement, Alma is fully funded to deliver the final stage-three earn-in expenditure and secure a total 70% stake.

The camp acquisition will enable the mobilisation of a second drill rig and crews to support accelerated resource growth and pre-feasibility study programs at Briggs.

This additional rig will deliver a step-change in drilling efficiency and data generation, building on the company's current single-rig 30,000-metre infill campaign that is reported to have yielded strong penetration rates and encountered copper mineralisation in all four holes completed to date.

Improved Scaling Potential

Managing director Dr Frazer Tabeart said the new infrastructure would improve the company’s ability to scale operations at Briggs.

“With proper on-site accommodation in place, we can bring a second drill rig to site, keep our technical and management teams in the field and significantly reduce the fatigue and logistics challenges associated with our current arrangements,” he said.

“This builds an operational platform to match the scale of the opportunity at Briggs, driving drilling efficiencies and allowing us to complete pre-feasibility study drilling requirements sooner and at a lower cost.”

Located just 60km from the deep-water port of Gladstone, Briggs is supported by its strong local infrastructure and proximity to multiple high-voltage power lines, a heavy-haulage railway, multiple gas pipelines, and major roads including the Dawson Highway.